15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I
(118). Original gum, lightly hinged, nearly perfect centering with wide
margins, sharp impressions with perfectly aligned vignette and frame,
bright colors and overall freshness rarely encountered in this
issueEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 15-CENT 1869 TYPE I IS VERY RARE IN THIS CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION. A SPECTACULAR STAMP AND CERTAINLY ONE OF THE FINEST KNOWN.
The 15c Type I comes from the first 1869 printing, in May 1869 the 15c went to press using the second frame plate, which produced Type II. In a condition census, both Type I and II would show similar numbers known in the top tier of original-gum condition -- probably 8 to 10 of each. However, Type I is generally a rarer stamp and carries a much higher Scott Catalogue value. Very few of this quality have been offered in years, and we anticipate vigorous competition.
With 2000 P.F. certificate (Image)
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I
(118). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich colors on fresh
paperVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE I 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
Our comments about the stamp in lot 1413 apply to this example as well, but we must also add a note concerning the shades of this stamp. It is not the typical Type I light Brown and bright Blue, but a much more intense version, usually associated with the Type II printing.
With 2001 P.F. certificate (Image)
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I
(118). Perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, crisp impressions on
bright paper, sharp grill, light cancel leaves vignette and type
characteristics clearly visibleEXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE I 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 2000 P.F. certificate (Image)
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I
(118). Well-centered with long full perfs all around, well-struck
pinwheel cancel, natural inclusion at top left, Extremely Fine, with 1996
P.F. certificate (Image)
15c-90c 1869 Pictorial Issues
(118, 120-122). Select group of 20 stamps incl. Nos. 118 (two), 120
(five), 121 (six) and 122 (seven), all have cork cancels, most have small
creases or flaws that do not detract from appearance, a few skillfully
reperfed, 15c Fine, 24c Fine-Very Fine, 30c Very Fine, 90c Very Good-Fine,
one 30c with 2000 P.F. certificate noting corner crease
(Image) 
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II
(119). Original gum, choice centering, deep rich colors and sharp
impressions, remarkably freshEXTREMELY FINE. THE 15-CENT TYPE II 1869 ISSUE IS EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT TO FIND IN SUCH SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
With 2000 P.F. certificate (Image)
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II
(119). Slightly disturbed original gum, rich colors and proof-like
impression, reperfed at right, Very Fine appearance and scarce in
original-gum condition (Image)
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II
(119). Rich colors, almost perfectly centered, light strike of cork
cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate
(Image)
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II
(119). Rich colors, wide margins, light strike of cork cancel leaves
design clearly visible, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2000 P.F.
certificate (Image)
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II
(119). Perfect centering, light cork cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1999
P.F. certificate (Image)
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II
(119). Bright colors, well-centered with unusually wide margins at
sides, bold circle of wedges cancel, Very Fine and choice (Image)